The visit of Japanese Crown Prince Hirohito 裕仁 (1901–1989) to Shuri marks a historically significant event, particularly remembered within the karate community. On 6 March 1921, His Highness attended a karate demonstration led by Funakoshi Gichin 船越義珍 (1868–1957). Though brief, the visit is documented through various scattered reports.
Just two days later, on 8 March 1921, the Japanese-language newspaper Taiwan Nichinichi reported that students of the Shihan Gakkō had performed gymnastics during the Crown Prince’s stay.
Recently, another source has come to light and is, as far as known, presented here in this context for the first time. The Crown Prince’s Overseas Tour Diary (1924: 11) provides a brief account of the day’s events. Under the heading “6th March, Sunday – Clear Skies”, it reports that the day began under perfectly clear skies, with warm sunlight falling on the ship’s deck. At 7:00 a.m., the Ryūkyū Islands came into view, and at 9:10 a.m., the imperial vessel anchored three nautical miles off Yonabaru, near Nakagusuku. The islanders, overjoyed by the sight of the ship, gathered along the shore. Prefectural officials boarded the vessel to pay their respects.
At 11:00 a.m., His Highness disembarked via torpedo boat. A temporary pier, adorned with red and white cloth, had been set up for the landing. From there, he walked through the streets of Yonabaru toward the outskirts of Futenma. People lined the streets—some gazing at him in awe, others joining their palms in reverence.
A light railway had been arranged to transport the Prince to Naha, where he transferred to a carriage upon arrival at the station. At the prefectural office, he took a short rest and had a light meal. He was then briefed on the region, visited an exhibition of local products, and planted a commemorative tree in the garden.
He continued by carriage to Shuri, passing through hilly terrain where schoolchildren had gathered in welcome. There, he observed a karate demonstration—mentioned only briefly in the diary—before beginning his return. As he departed, the people of the prefecture bid farewell with torches in hand. At 6:00 p.m., the ship lifted anchor and sailed southward along Okinawa’s eastern coast, illuminated by the glow of fishing fires in the distance.
In The Crown Prince’s European Tour, Futara and Sawada (1925: 17) gave a little more information on the demonstration:
“His Highness entered the estate of Marquis Sho and granted audience to the Marquis, his family and formers retainers. He then visited the old castle. In the open space before it, he was welcomed by the schoolchildren, and there he witnessed the athletic exercises of the middle schools, who exhibited the art of self-protection know as karate, resembling boxing.”
Hirohito in Okinawa (1921)
Additionally, the Normal School, or Shihan Gakkō 師範学校, briefly noted the event in a 1931 publication.
“On 6 March 1921, on the occasion of His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince’s visit to Shuri, an exhibition of karate by students of the school was held at Shuri Castle.”
Funakoshi himself referenced the occasion in his autobiography (1956). A further must read in this context: Patrick McCarthy has also dealt with this topic in his 2024 book quoting from the biography of Kanna Kenwa 漢那憲和 (1877–1950) who was captain of the Prince’s ship.
Sources:
Futara, Yoshinori / Sawada Setsuzo (1925: 17): The Crown Prince’s European Tour. Ôsaka: Ôsaka Mainichi Publishing
McCarthy, Patrick (2024): Funakoshi Gichin. Tanpenshu. A Collection of Short Stories. Uruma: The International Ryukyu Karate Research Society
Miyauchi daijin kanbō shomu-ka (1924): 皇太子殿下海外御巡遊日誌 (His Royal Highness the Crown Prince’s Overseas Tour Diary). 宮内大臣官房庶務課 Miyauchi daijin kanbō shomu-ka (General Affairs Division, Imperial Household Agency). Tôykô: Chōyōkai (in Japanese)
Taiwan Nichinichi from March 8, 1921
Investigations into the history of karate 